Zim constitutional deal agreed

Africa / 18 January 2013, 3:44pm

SAPA

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (right) and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Harare, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's political leaders say they have reached agreement on a new constitution after more than two years of delays and bickering over changes to reduce the sweeping powers of President Robert Mugabe and his ruling party.

No details of the deal were released but a coalition of democracy activists said Friday that “sticky issues” were resolved, paving the way toward finalization of the draft.

The Crisis Coalition said in a statement that without further hitches a referendum on the document could be held as early as April, followed by elections later this year.

State radio on Friday quoted Mugabe saying there were some “t's to be crossed and i's to be dotted.” Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's office said he described the agreement as a defining moment for the nation's future. - Sapa-AP